Analyzing Water Availability Via the SWAT Hydrological Model in Oued Cherraa Basin (Northeastern Morocco)

Water is a crucial resource for many aspects of life, including food security, economic growth, and human habitats. To simulate and measure water availability accurately, hydrological models with precise data are necessary. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was effectively utilized to calibrate and validate water balance of Oued Cherraa watershed. The model performed well, as shown by the Nash–Sutcliffe statistical values and a correlation coefficient greater than 0.5. Evapotranspiration accounted for 89% of the annual precipitation, while the full amount of flow was only 6%, comprising 2% surface runoff and 4% base flow. The remaining 5% originates from percolation in aquifers, both contained and uncontained, which serve as groundwater and soil reservoirs. During the dry season, the water table may be too high for operation. The shallow aquifer’s ability to hold more water is demonstrated by the average soil storage across the entire catchment area.